Rail fastening means



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 22, 1935 Oct. 8, 1935. D. TURNER 2,016,345

RAIL FASTENING MEANS Filed Jan. 22, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Inventor D7 arm er Attorney Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE] This invention relates to railway equipment and appliances and has more specific reference to that particular sub-division of this field of endeavor embodying rail spikes and similar fastening devices.

\ Briefly described, the present invention has more explicit reference to a composite spike and an associated stabilizing and retaining unit therefor.

As implied, the spike, as a unit, comprises the spike proper, this being of hollow form and constructed to accommodate what may be conveniently referred to as a split nail allocated with the spike for the purpose of securely anchoring it in the conventional wooden cross-tie.

Cooperating with the spike and so-called nail is an especially designed bracing and antispreader unit fashioned for secure anchorage on the top of the tie and designated at its inner end to overlie the head of the spike in a manner to guard against accidental displacement thereof.

As. an incidental feature, I provide a plurality of turn buckle devices susceptible ofconnecting the stabilizing units in pairs to make for greater dependability and emciency.

My primary aim is to generally improve upon the prior art devices by providing a structure 'which is characterized by economy, simplicity and efiiciency as well as practical facility in use.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view showing fragmentary portions of .cross ties, and associated track rail and a multiplicity of the improved rail fastening devices associated with these parts.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse or vertical sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1, portions being broken away and shown in section.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the manner in which the duplex spikes may be individually used in a manner to be hereinafter specifically described.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the special adapter hereinafter specifically described as the stabilizing and retaining unit.

Figure 5 is an edge view of the unit illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end View of Figure 5 looking at it in a direction from left to right.

Figure '7 is a vertical or longitudinal sectional view through the major or main part of the duplex spike construction.

laterally directed lug 23 to engage over the base Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure '7 showing the anchoring nail in the act of being inserted. Figure 9 is a view like Figure 8 showing the manner in which the prongs of the nail are spread apart for anchorage purposes. 5'

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view of the central portion of the spike proper as depicted in Figure 8 with the nail removed.

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view on the plane of the line l|--ll of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the anchoring nail per se.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of a .turn buckle coupling.

In the drawings in Figure 1 the cross ties, 15 which are conventional, are denoted by the numeral l4 and the rail is indicated at l5. Each one of the fastener assemblies, considered as a unit, is or duplicate construction and a description of one will suflice for all. First, I would ,call attention to Figures 7 to 12 inclusive, in

which figures I show in particular the duplex or double acting s'pike. The principal part of the spike is distinguished by the numeral l6 and this is described as'the spike proper. In proportion to the shape it is similar to the conventional pointed spike, that is to say, it is rectangular in cross sectionand provided with a pointed end I! to be driven into the cross tie. The upper end portion however, is formed with a vertical bore I8 which constitutes a socket to accommodate the complemental anchoring nail l9. Incidentally this nail is of proper proportion and it has a head 20 and the shank portion thereof is bifurcated and the furcations 2| constitute anchoring prongs and are suitably pointed. The head 20 is adapted to seat in a counter recess 22 in the top of the spike at which end there is a flange of the rail as depicted in Figures 2 and 3. 40 At about the center of the spike, that is at the bottom of the passage, is a V-shaped element 24 which constitutes a spreader and which is provided on opposite sides with arcuate or slightly curved passages 25 through and beyond which the prongs extend for anchoring purposes as illustrated in Figure 9. It is evidenced that this spike and nail, as a combination device, may be independently employed as illustrated in Figure 3. In action, the nail is simply dropped down into the bore I8 and driven down so that the prongs are divided and spread apart by the spreader wedge 24. This serves to anchor the prongs in the wood and constitutes the means for guarding against the vertical displacement of the spike as -a duplex assembly.

Closely allied with this two-part spike is a novel adapter unit 26. This is in the form or a metal isters with the passage l8 and the opening is such as to permit the headed end of the nail l9 to'pass therethrough and then down into the passage it when the ear 30 is placed on top of the head 23 (see Figure 2). The shank portion 3| of the adapter unit has a nail hole as at 32 to accommodate a stabilizing'nail 33. In addition, the outer end thereof is turned down to provide a pair of triangular shaped spurs 34 which are designed to be embedded in the wood of the cross tie. Thus, by putting the spike and nail in position as shown in Figure 3, then putting the complemental adapter in place as shown in Figure 2, the two devices cooperate in a unified manner. That is to say, the spike is securely anchored against vertical displacement and then by putting the shouldered ear equipped end of the adapter against the headed end of the spike and fastening the two parts together by the same nail I!) each part contributes its proportionate share to; distribute strain and stress. Not only this, the unit 26 serves as an antispreader device and coopcrates with the spikein preventing spreading of the rails especially when the spikes and fastening units 26 are used in pairs, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, a a As an additional safeguard I have found it expedient and practical to use a turn buckle device. Thatis to say, each turn buckle structure includes a pair of bolts 35 mounted in the supporting extension 28 in adjacent pairs of adapters 26, then the coupling 36 joins them both together and by properly tightening the parts we have a satisfactory continuity of co-actionwhich is calculated to permit the structure as a whole, to serve satisfactorily in the requisite capacity.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with thedrawin'gs. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a structure of the class described, in combination, a cross tie, a rail associated therewith, a spike of general conventional form having a head on its upper end, an adapter unit cooper-able with the headed end of said spike. and comprising a plate to rest on the tie, said plate including a shank having its outer end formed with. depending spurs imbedded in the tie, the inner end of said plate being formed with a shoulder to abut the headed end of said spike and provided above said shoulder with an apertured ear, and a connecting nail passing down through said ear, said spike being fashioned to permit the nail to become securely connected thereto, whereby to cause the spike and adapter to cooperate in preventing displacement of the spike and the rail spreading.

2. In a structural assemblage of the class described, in combination, a hollow spike having a head at its upper end, the intermediate portion of the spike having a V-shaped spreader on opposite sides of which are passages, an adapter unit designed to abut the headed end of said spike, said adapter unit having anchoring spurs and having a shoulder formed at its inner end to bear against the head of the spike, said shouldered end being further provided with an elevated apertured ear to overlie and rest upon the head of said spike, and a split nail passing down through said ear and-into said spike, .the prong portions of said nail being adapted to be spread by said spreader out throughjsaid passages and into the tie in the manner and for the purposes described.

3. In a structural combination of the class described, apair of spaced parallel cross ties, a rail resting on said ties, spikes imbedded in the ties and having headed ends engaging the base flange 40 of the rail, adapter units associated with said spikes to aid in holding the spikes against spreading and similar displacement, each adapter unit having a riser formed with a vertical xtension having a bolt hole, the extensions of the respective adapters being disposed in alignment, threaded bolts mounted in the bolt 'holes, the inner ends of said bolts being located for cooperation, and a coupling connecting said inner ends together whereby to provide an adjustable turnbuckle between the complemental pair of adapter units in the manner and for the purposes described.

DAVE TURNER. 

